Lightnews — Scholar-powered news

Steve Heap

@backyardimage.bsky.social

We are waiting for a threatened ice storm, but on Wednesday afternoon, the mood over the Colorado river in Austin Texas seems very mellow and warm. Aerial drone panorama of this modern cityscape. And no cranes visible, a first for this city! #Austin #AerialPhotography #BuyIntoArt

January 23, 2026 at 11:11 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Matt DeGrushe Photography

@photomattca.bsky.social

Sunrise and low fog clouds at Morro Rock and the Stacks.

#photography #landscape #eastcoastkin #westcoastkin #photographersofbluesky #photographersunited #westcoastphotography
#blueskyartshow

January 17, 2026 at 5:32 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

bgphotography.bsky.social

@bgphotography.bsky.social

Shasta Storm

Mt Shasta is one of many volcanic peaks in California and is at the southern end of the Cascade Range. At 14, 179 feet it is also the second highest peak in the cascade range.

pixels.com/featured/sha...

#ShastaStorm #BillGallagherPhotography #BuyIntoArt #AYearForArt #Storm #MtShasta

Shasta Storm

A towering Mount Shasta rises like a silent titan, its snow‑washed slopes glowing beneath a break in the storm. Dark, muscular clouds coil around the peak, their edges lit with a cold, electric brightness that hints at the power gathering within. The air feels charged—crisp, metallic, and alive—like the moment just before thunder rolls. Below, the land stretches out in deep greens and muted earth tones, grounding the drama above. The contrast between the serene mountain and the swirling tempest creates a breathtaking tension, inviting viewers to feel the raw pulse of nature. This is a piece that brings atmosphere into a room—majestic, moody, and unforgettable.

January 15, 2026 at 2:58 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Deborah League

@deborahleague.bsky.social

Skyward silence tree canopy.

ART - deborah-league.pixels.com/featured/sky...

#art #artshop #artstore #ayearforart #buyintoart #wallart #homedecor #artforsale #artist #blueskyart #giftideas #lifestyle #colorful #artwork #artprints #trees #skyscape #tranquility #nature #serenity

Skyward Silence captures a serene, upward-looking view through a forest of tall, slender trees, their delicate branches reaching toward a soft blue sky. Rendered in luminous pastel hues of blush pink, warm peach, and gentle lavender, this watercolor evokes a sense of calm, wonder, and quiet reflection.

The vertical lines of the trees draw the eye upward, creating a feeling of openness and breath, while the airy washes and subtle textures add depth and atmosphere. This artwork is ideal for those drawn to nature-inspired wall art, peaceful woodland scenes, and contemporary watercolor landscapes.

This digital watercolor is perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, meditation spaces, or offices, Skyward Silence brings a sense of stillness and natural beauty into any interior. Available as fine art prints, canvas, metal, and other premium formats.

January 15, 2026 at 7:16 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

CNovack

@artcnovack.bsky.social

Four years ago, I had the idea of creating a short story using pictures/artwork I took/created. The first 4 pages are in my earlier posts.

A Tail of Return – See ALT for Page 5 And the Sky Full of Wonder

#visualstorytelling #ayearforart #storytelling #story #adventure #PictureaStory #writing

A Tale of Return - And the Sky Full of Wonder - Page 5

She stood before the sunset and a sky full of wonder. Skye adjusted her umbrella over her shoulder when she heard a faint rustle and felt a breeze.
“Mana Blessing Araceli, you are always light on your feet,” Skye smiled as she turned to face her friend.
“That’s me,” Araceli smiled back as she gently hovered back down to the ground, “you are getting better in sensing my approach. You have Aria’s umbrella with you. What is troubling you?”
Skye was silent for a long time as her friend waited patiently for an answer. “I had a Seeker visit today. While we were talking, I thought of Aria and her kindness in taking me in as a Daughter,” she gripped the umbrella handle tight, “I thought I was at peace of not knowing my past name, but not knowing…haunts me. Maybe—maybe it is time I should know?”
“So, what holds you back? What is it you fear?” asked Araceli.
“What—,” Skye hesitated. She swallowed and took a deep breath, “What if I find out my true name. What if I find out who I am. That I had a life before — a home and family— and then can’t return to my home here in Magic?”
“Well,” Araceli said gently “you have two feet don’t you?”
“What?” Skye exclaimed, confused.
“Please, I will explain, but could you use your Mana to hover just a breath,” said Araceli.
“Um, ok,” Skye closed Aria’s umbrella and then concentrated to hover eight inches above the ground.

Note: See next 'image' that is the second half of this page. It would not let me fit all of it here in ALT text. The ALT text in next image has the second half so your screen reader can continue the story.

Visual: The visual for page 5 is a photograph of a silhouette of a young woman holding an umbrella who appears to be looking at the sunset. She stands in what looks to be a grassy field that is also in silhouette. In the backdrop is a dramatic sunset with gorgeous cloud formations.

A Tale of Return - And the Sky Full of Wonder - Page 5 Second Half (so that the Screen Readers can follow the full story that did not fit on the first image)

“Good, now keep afloat, but put one foot down on the ground,” instructed Araceli. Skye hovered, maneuvering low enough that she could put her left foot down to touch the ground. “Excellent! So, one foot is in the air and the other foot is on the ground. Are you having any trouble staying in this position?”
“It takes very little Mana to hover and stay like I am now. It is no trouble at all,” answered Skye, “but what does having two feet have to do with my fears?”
“Having two feet is akin to having two homes.” Araceli illustrated, “You are never without one. You can have a home here up in Celestia,” pointing to the foot in the air and then pointing to the one on the ground, “and you can also have a home in whatever other Realm you lived in the past…provided it is welcoming, caring and you want it to be another place where you feel you belong.”
Skye hovered in position for a long while before answering, “Araceli, you have a strange way of looking at things, but I understand you now. It is possible to have two homes that will always welcome you.”
“It is a gift. So, are you still afraid to find out who you are?” Araceli asked.
“I am not afraid. I am ready to find my true name and where I came from,” Skye said with resolve.
“Good!” smiled Araceli, “Come with me. Aria left me something to give to you.”

January 16, 2026 at 2:20 AM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Iris Richardson

@irisrichardson.com

Blue Heart for the love of democracy

Prints
www.pictorem.com/1932624/blue...

Gift Ideas & Prints
iris-richardson.pixels.com/featured/blu...

#democracy #USA #Peace #LOVE #ayearforart #wallart #homedecor #artprints #abstract #colorful #abstractart #giftideas #contempoaryart #Inspiration

Blue heart with abstract textured background

January 16, 2026 at 12:59 PM

Steve Heap

@backyardimage.bsky.social

I've written one of my articles on BackyardImage .com about my attempts to photograph these hummingbirds in Costa Rica. Here is a montage of my favorite images from that shoot.
#hummingbird #BirdPhotography #Photography #BuyIntoArt
www.backyardimage.com/hummingbirds...

January 17, 2026 at 3:13 PM

Steve Heap

@backyardimage.bsky.social

A white-throated mountaingem hummingbird sits patiently on a twig. But which is the best as a piece of wall art - photo or pencil sketch?
#Photography #Buyintoart #AYearforart #birds #bird

White throated mountaingem hummingbird on a branch

White throated mountaingem hummingbird on a branch as a sketch

January 15, 2026 at 8:55 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Jennifer White Timeless Moments Photography

@tmphotography.bsky.social

A peaceful evening just before sunset beneath a private fishing pier in Orange Beach, where fading light create a calm mood along the water as the waves roll in and splash along the columns @fineartamerica.bsky.social
5-jennifer-white.pixels.com/featured/qui...
#buyintoart #photography #gifts

December 23, 2025 at 2:22 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Paul "Princejvstin" Weimer

@princejvstin.com

In re Cedar Breaks @gdanmitchell.com

gdanmitchell.com/2025/12/23/c...

I had planned to go there on a trip to Utah in 2020 (as urged to by @sarahchorn.bsky.social ). But a snowstorm drove me off of the mountain and I never got to go inside. (said snowstorm messed up the rest of planned trip too)

Cedar Breaks

“Cedar Breaks” — Eroded sandstone strata at Cedar Breaks National Monument.

gdanmitchell.com

December 23, 2025 at 3:27 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Joseph S. Giacalone Photography

@joegphoto.bsky.social

The Beautiful Grand Canyon adds the grand majesty of nature to any living space.

Fine art prints available here - fineartamerica.com/featured/the...

#nature #fineartphotography #grandcanyon

December 23, 2025 at 2:16 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Owensgrandpa

@owensgrandpa.bsky.social

🌹 random rose 🌹
March 25th 2024

December 23, 2025 at 12:28 AM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Abbie Shores & OAM

@abbieshores.bsky.social

Mood Board – After Light, The Quiet Hour

This mood board invites artists into the quiet hour, where colour deepens, light softens, and creativity slows into something more intentional. It is not about darkness, but about atmosphere, confidence, and thoughtful restraint.

Mood Board – After Light, The Quiet Hour

This mood board invites artists into the quiet hour, where colour deepens, light softens, and creativity slows into something more intentional. It is not about darkness, but about atmosphere, confidence, and thoughtful restraint.

ourartsmagazine.com

December 23, 2025 at 4:01 PM

Steve Heap

@backyardimage.bsky.social

Christmas has certainly come early! A buyer from Oakland, MD bought three large, framed prints of Morgantown last night, the largest being almost 5 feet wide. This is that print, the moon rising over the WVU Hope Coliseum. #Photography #Morgantownwv #AYearForArt
www.pictorem.com/625749/moon-...

December 23, 2025 at 3:50 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Images By Jon Evan

@imagesbyjonevan.bsky.social

Black and White photography can bring a dramatic flair to any living space, capturing the raw beauty of nature. #wallartart #interiordecorating #photography #artprints #art4sale #NatureBeauty #blackandwhitephoto #photooftheday #beautiful #tbt #picoftheday buff.ly/uTj3QR0

December 5, 2025 at 11:10 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Images By Jon Evan

@imagesbyjonevan.bsky.social

Art for the EYES and to grace your walls buff.ly/4btMjms
#flowerlover #amazing #photooftheday #naturelover #artforsale #naturelovers #artlovers #wallart #nature #photo #travel #blackandwhitephotography #blackandwhite #blackandwhitephoto #homedecor #interiordecor

December 6, 2025 at 1:50 AM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Jim Musil Painter

@jimmusilpainter.bsky.social

My great grandmother painted for fun. I grew up with one of her paintings – a stand of pine trees weighted down with heavy snow. I’ve always loved that painting so I thought I would create my own version. I hope you enjoy the results!

SNOWY TREES, 12x12”, Acrylic ©2025 Jim Musil

December 5, 2025 at 3:39 PM

Reposted by Steve Heap

Joseph S. Giacalone Photography

@joegphoto.bsky.social

The Lone Cypress is a Monterey cypress tree located in Pebble Beach, California Thank you for your interest in my work.

ART - fineartamerica.com/featured/the...

#peeblebeach #california